Sioux Falls schools less full than expected

District swells by 330 students, but that's less than half of what was anticipated

Aug. 27, 2013

Written by

DeeAnn Konrad

Jim Holbeck

By the numbers

22,312: Number of students enrolled in the Sioux Falls School District last year. 22,642: Number of students enrolled in the Sioux Falls district this year. 750: Projected increase in the number of students in the Sioux Falls School District this year. 330: Initial count increase in the number of students in the Sioux Falls district this year.

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Enrollment in the Sioux Falls School District is more than 330 students above last year’s — but the count comes in at less than half of budget projections.

The district, in an initial count after the first week of school, tallied 22,642 students K-12, about 400 fewer than what was projected.

The number probably will change because of late enrollees, officials said. However, district officials already have marked $2.5 million from reserves to help make up the potential gap in state funding.

“We’ve had phenomenal years of growth for the last couple of years,” said district spokeswoman DeeAnn Konrad. “We will continue to figure out where our students are at and welcome anyone new who comes to us. We are in an enviable position in the state of South Dakota, where our enrollment does grow. We know that’s not the case in all school districts. While it might be a little less than what we thought, it’s still growth.”

South Dakota schools will count their students again in late September to determine how much money they will get from the state.

The Sioux Falls School District’s elementary schools accounted for the greatest growth this year, with 270 more students than last year. Middle schools counted 80 more students, while the high schools are down 20.

Most surrounding school districts reported growth beyond what was projected.

Brandon Valley School District’s initial enrollment is up again this year, about 100 over last year. That surpasses the budget projections of 85 for a total of 3,585.

Tea Area School District’s day-one attendance saw an increase of about 60 students over last year, for a total of 1,520, said Superintendent Jennifer Lowery.

“We’ve been seeing increases between 4 and 6 percent over the last seven years,” she said.

Harrisburg School District has 3,274 students attending as of Monday, a little less than the 3,300 projected, said Superintendent Jim Holbeck, but more than 280 students over last year.

“We’ve been growing by about that 300 mark the last couple of years, so we anticipated that would happen again,” he said. “We’ll still have some kids move in during the year.”

Enrollment growth has resulted in rapid school construction in Harrisburg. New elementary and middle schools opened this year. The middle school has 393 students and the elementary has 377. Their capacities are 800 and 550.

“The growth is something we anticipate, knowing it’s going to happen, and it’s always better to be on a growing side than a decline side,” Holbeck said. “It’s been pretty consistent on an upward trend.”